Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), being the closest of Companions to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, took part in all the battles that Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had fought.
At Uhud and Hunain, some members of the Muslim army showed signs of weakness, however, Abu Bakr’s faith never wavered, he always stood like a rock by the side of the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
Abu Bakr’s faith and determination to raise the banner of Islam were so great that at Badr, one of his sons, who had not yet embraced Islam was fighting among the enemies, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was so eager to find his son in the battle that he was searching for him amongst the enemies in order to slay him.
Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) loved his faith more than anything else. At the Battle of Badr, his son, Abdur Rahman, was fighting on the side of the Kuffar. After accepting Islam, Abdur Rahman said to his father, “O Father, at Badr, you were twice under my sword, but my love for you held my hand back.” To this, Abu Bakr replied, “Son, if I had you only once under my sword, you would have been no more.” He was so uncompromising in his faith.
Abu Bakr’s great love of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was demonstrated when peace talks at Hudaibiya were held. During the negotiations, the spokesman of Quraish was touching the beard of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) every now and then. Abu Bakr’s love for the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was so great that he could bear no more, he took out his sword and looked angrily at the man saying, “…if that hand touches the beard of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) again, it will not be allowed to go back”.
Tabuk was the last expedition of the Holy Prophet(sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He was keen to make it a great success, he therefore asked people to help the expedition with whatever they could. This brought the best out of Abu Bakr who beat all records as he took all his money and household articles and heaped them at the Prophet’s feet.
“Have you left anything for your children?” asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) then responded with great faith “Allah and his Messenger are enough for them”. Companions standing around were stunned they realized that whatever they do they could not out do Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) in the field of service to Islam.
